Results 13,261-13,280 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — EU Funding: EU Funding (5 Feb 2008)

Dermot Ahern: There are no programmes currently being operated by my Department that are funded, either wholly or partly, by the European Union. In the time available, I am only in a position to provide information in regard to EU support for programmes operated by my Department in the past ten years. My Department had responsibility for two measures under the EU Special Support Programme for Peace and...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (5 Feb 2008)

Dermot Ahern: When it is considered by the Department of Foreign Affairs that an appointment as Honorary Consul may be justified, suitable candidates who would be willing to undertake the duties involved are identified by the Irish Ambassador accredited to the country concerned. Such appointments also usually involve consultations with local Irish community representatives and business interests. The...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (5 Feb 2008)

Dermot Ahern: An essential everyday part of the work of staff in my Department is serving the needs of this House. Preparing material related to answering Parliamentary Questions is an essential element of this. Replies to Parliamentary Questions are drafted by the staff in the sections dealing with the particular issues raised. While 941 Parliamentary Questions were answered by my Department in 2007, no...

Leaders' Questions (5 Feb 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Fine Gael is patchy throughout Ireland

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (31 Jan 2008)

Dermot Ahern: In the year 2000, Ireland and the United Kingdom were granted the right to participate in some proposals that build upon the Schengen acquis. In February and May 2004, the United Kingdom signalled its intention to take part in the adoption of Regulation 2007/2004 (EC) on the establishment of FRONTEX, and Regulation 2252/2004 (EC) on biometric passports. Both measures were intended to build on...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (31 Jan 2008)

Dermot Ahern: In Budget 2008, the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance announced that the Government agreed to an efficiency review of all administrative spending across the public service. As part of this process all Government Departments are required to examine their administrative spending and to provide specific proposals for administrative savings to the Department of Finance, by 1 March 2008. These...

Barron Reports: Statements (Resumed) (31 Jan 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I thank Members for their contributions to this important debate which the Taoiseach agreed to hold after the Christmas recess. I wish to note my appreciation for one of the unsung heroes of the transformation that has occurred on this island, Deputy Mansergh, and for the work he has done over several decades in this regard. Politics in Ireland and Northern Ireland has been transformed with...

Order of Business (31 Jan 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Unless Deputy Bernard Durkan comes in.

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (30 Jan 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 576, 577 and 590 together. Following its signature in Lisbon on 13 December 2007, Member States are expected to ratify the Reform Treaty by 1 January 2009. The Attorney General has advised that the legal effects of the Reform Treaty require amendment of the Constitution to enable ratification by Ireland. The Government has authorised the drafting, on a...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (30 Jan 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Benazir Bhutto's assassination on 27 December, and the subsequent widespread violence, made clear the continuing fragile political and security situation in Pakistan. In condemning her killing, on 27 December, I exhorted the authorities to continue to ensure that Pakistan continues on the road back to democracy. Parliamentary elections in Pakistan have now been rescheduled for 18 February....

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (30 Jan 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I remain deeply concerned by recent developments in Kenya, where up to 700 people have been killed and up to 250,000 displaced from their homes in the aftermath of the elections of 27 December. The situation had stabilised slightly since the initial unrest, but regrettably there have been further large-scale fatalities in recent days. The original violence was sparked by protests against the...

Written Answers — Judicial Reviews: Judicial Reviews (30 Jan 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 583 and 584 together. There have been nine judicial reviews relating to my Department in the past ten years. Year Case Costs to the Department Comment € 2007 Individual -v- the Minister for Foreign Affairs(eligibility for citizenship) Nil Minister for Foreign Affairs was co-respondent with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. A...

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (30 Jan 2008)

Dermot Ahern: There have been five Acts passed by the Houses of the Oireachtas sponsored by my Department since 2003. Diplomatic Relations and Immunities (Amendment) Act 2006 The Act was not wholly or partly required as a result of EU obligations and contains no significant reference to EU legislation. British-Irish Agreement (Amendment) Act 2006 The British-Irish Agreement Amendment Act 2006 is a short...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (30 Jan 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The case to which the Deputy refers was discussed in general terms in the course of my visit to Kosovo in November, 2007. My officials have since raised the case a number of times with the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), which retains responsibility for justice and policing matters. In response, UNMIK informed us that the individual in question was indicted on charges relating to...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (30 Jan 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The Government of Colombia has repeatedly stated its commitment to bringing to an end all terrorism in Colombia within the framework of the Justice and Peace Law. This Law, passed in 2005, provides an overall legal framework for the demobilisation, disarmament and reintegration of illegal armed groups into Colombian society. The Justice and Peace Law, which was adopted through a lengthy...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (30 Jan 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The Government carefully monitors paramilitary and sectarian crime across Northern Ireland, including incidents of intimidation and harassment. All such activity, including so-called "punishment beatings", are cowardly criminal acts that have no place in a normal democratic society. The Government raises incidents of concern, including those arising in south Armagh, on an ongoing basis in our...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (30 Jan 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The Department of Foreign Affairs has had two incidents of lost, missing or stolen computer equipment in the period 2002 to 2007. In July 2003, 25 new computers were stolen from temporary offices in Brussels. In June 2004, an individual, who had been working on contract in the Department of Foreign Affairs, received a four year suspended sentence for the theft of eight laptop computers. None...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (30 Jan 2008)

Dermot Ahern: As the Deputy will appreciate, requirements for permission to enter the United States are solely a matter for the United States authorities. The person referred to by the Deputy should contact the Visa Section of the United States Embassy, telephone 01 6688777, or website, www.usembassy.ie for guidance on whether she will require a visa to visit the US or will be able to avail of the visa...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (30 Jan 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The situation in Zimbabwe remains grave. In addition to the economic hardships, there are continuing reports of brutal repression of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and other civil society groups perceived to be challenging the Zanu PF ruling party. There is a pervasive atmosphere of intimidation and violence towards those who seek change in the country. As economic...

Written Answers — Data Protection: Data Protection (30 Jan 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The Department of Foreign Affairs implements a range of security measures, including multi-layered firewalls, to secure its internal ICT network from the Internet. Furthermore, the design and implementation of the Department's network ensures that vulnerability to attacks from the Internet is minimised to the greatest extent possible. This infrastructure is reviewed on a regular basis taking...